Grain Focusers and Magnifiers

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I constructed my own darkroom last winter and have been having a great time. It is so much better working when the creative juices are flowing instead of having to schedule a specific time at the local University lab. I am, however,having a problem focusing my enlargements. I have an el cheapo 12x Mini-Sight Grain focuser. My girlfriend and I have learned to hate it. I especially dislike it when working with t-max negatives, because I can't seen the grain. I obviously need a better device, but have not had much recent experience with anything else. They have these at the University lab also, but I was mostly shooting Tri-x then and the grain was always clearly visable. It would be nice to have something that works in the corners also. I would love to hear what works for you folks. Thanks.

-- Paul Mongillo (pmongillo@thurston.com), December 14, 2000

Answers

Paul, The Peak model 1 is the way to go, focuses right into the corners. Has a 10x optical system and is very positive in its focusing. I use their cheaper model 2 and is more then adequate for my needs but doesn't quite reach the corners.

For what its worth Devere engineers use the model 1 to align their enlargers. Regards,

-- Trevor Crone (tcrone@gm.dreamcast.com), December 14, 2000.


Paul, A quick second for the Peak enlarging magnifiers. Magna-Sight also makes a good image magnifier. Regards, ;^D)

-- Doremus Scudder (ScudderLandreth@compuserve.com), December 15, 2000.

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